Multi-compartment lighted chest



Dec. 19, 1961 D. c. RocKoLA 3,013,852

MULTI-COMPARTMENT LIGHTED CHEST Filed Aug. 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FHM zzorng/S United States Patent G 3,013,852 MULTI-CGMPARTMENT LIGH'IED CHEST Donald C. Rockola, Lincolnwood, Ill., assigner to Rock- Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 25, 1958, Ser. No. 757,011 3 Claims. (Cl. S12- 223) The present invention relates to a chest or cabinet, and more particularly to such a device having a plurality of compartments interiorly lighted, and that is especially adapted for use as a home bar.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a chest or bar having lighting means arranged in a novel manner for providing the desired light therein suitable for the intended or characteristic functions to be performed at the chest, but which does not cast objectionable amounts of light in other parts o-f the room in which the chest is located, which is often times intentionally relatively darkened, as for example, in the case of a room utilized for television reception.

Another object is to provide a chest of the foregoing general character, having a plurality of compartments and a single light source arranged in a novel manner for eectively lighting all of the compartments.

A further object is to provide a chest of the foregoing general character having a novel arrangement of translucent material for producing'a soft and non-glaring light in the interior of the chest.

A still further object is to provide a chest of the character indicated above, in which the translucent material mentioned, is additionally arranged in a novel manner in which it serves as supporting means for articles such as glasses whereby the light transmitted through the translucent material andfalling on the .articles renders them readily visible and producesr an unusual and artistic effect.l L v Still anotherobject is to provide 1a partition member forforming a plurality of compartments in a chest, and designed for containing a light means for illuminating the compartments, having novel mechanical construction of translucent material and cooperating structural members.

Another object is to provide a chest of the foregoing general character which is foldable between closed and open positions wherein the lighting means referred to above is controlled automatically for turning it of when the chest is closed and turning it on when the chest is opened.

- Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which- FIGURE l is a perspective view of a chest or home bar embodying the features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a detail sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is al detail sectional view taken on line 3 3 of FIGURE l; I

FIGURE 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the chest, taken` substantially on line 5-5 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical fore-and-aft sectional view of the chest. taken substantially on line 6--6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a large scale detail sectional view of the portion .enclosed in, dot-dash lines in FIGURE 6 and indicatedby the numeral 7; and

Mice

ing gures. The chest or cabinet is indicated in its entirety by the numeral 12 and may be of any desired dimensions such, for example, as to be suitable as a piece of furniture for the home. The chest or cabinet or home bar includes a box-like enclosure or structure 14 made up of a bottom supporting member 16, a rear wall 1S, and side walls 20. The chest may be made of suitable material, such for example, as wood, except for certain portions to be referred to in detail hereinbelow such as the light transmitting or translucent materials, hardware, lighting elements. The bottom member and walls are secured together in any suitable and known manner in accordance with woodworking or cabinet making principles. If desired, the box or enclosure member 14 may be provided with a surrounding depending skirt 22 for supporting the structure in elevated position from the floor, for the sake of appearance or convenience, or alternatively it may be provided with foot portions at the corners. However, such details may follow the dictates of cabinet making and do not enter into the invention as such. The chest or cabinet 12 may be ofsaid suitable or desired shape and proportions and in the illustrated embodiment, it is on the order of three units wide, one and three-fourths units deep, and three units high. Y

The front of the box-like enclosure 14 is closed by aY pair of hinged doors 24, although a single larger door may suice for this purpose, if such should be desired. Secured to each door adjacent the top thereof is a shelf 26, each of which is provided with a plurality of apertures or holes 2S for receiving and supporting articles v such as glasses 30. It is desired that the various means FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the novel partitiondfor supporting glasses and other articles in the variousV parts of the chest, as described fully hereinbelow, be dimensioned and proportioned for supporting glasses of different kinds and sizes. For example, it is desired that the shelves 26 be arranged for supporting high ball glasses which are represented by the illustrations 30. A detail of the shelf and high ball glass 30 is shown in FIGURE 4. 'Ihe holes or apertures 28 may be of cylindrical shape or slightly tapered complementary tol the shape of the glass. The holes or apertures are appropriately dmensioned for supporting the glasses at a suitable height with a portion thereof extending above the shelf for easy grasping by the hand. The glasses are thus readily accessible to the user of the home bar, when the doors are open, and they are also accessible when those doors are closed, but with the top open, as when the cover 32, described below, is open. Y` n The box-like enclosure 14 is closed at the top by the cover or door 32, referred to above, which is preferably. hinged, and controiled and releasably held in open position by a suitable latch means 34, of known kind, connected between the cover at one side and the respective A side wall 20. The latch 34 is arranged for movement into a holding position in which the cover is held open, as indicated in dot-dash lines in FIGURE l and the vertical position in FIGURE 6, and an inoperative posi# tion extending into the interior of the chest in which the cover is in lowered andclosed position. 'y

The chest is divided into anupper'service compartment 36 and a lower storage compartment 38 by means of novel partition means `indicated in its entirety at 40,.this partition means including'light means and light transmitting elements for lighting the interior of the :chest completely with a subdued and non-glaring light without materially affecting the lighting conditions exterior tothe chest, in the room in which the chest is located. Prefer; ably, the lower storage compartment 38 is larger or of greater vertical dimension than the upper service comparte ment.v The lower compartment serves as a storage area for articles such as indicated at V42 -while the upper comasis,

partment 36, in addition to serving as a service compartment, is utilized for storing a limited number of glasses such as and other to be referred to below.

The novel partition means includes light t-ransmitting portions for transmitting light from the light means contained therein to the respective compartments, and it also serves as a means for supporting glasses, both a storage quantity of glasses land those utilized directly in preparing drinks. The novel partition means in addition to transmitting light to the upper compartment supports glasses in such a way that the light is directed onto the glasses to produce an unusual and artistic effect.

The partition means 40 includes a top member or panel 44 and a bottom member 46 disposed in vertically spaced relation thereto to form an interior space indicated at 48 in which light means 50 is located. The top member 44 is in the form of a rigid panel and includes a perimeter frame 52 made up of a. rear element 54, side elements 56, and a front element 58. This perimeter frame may be formed of Wood or other suitable material.

The rear element 54 of the perimeter frame is provided with a series of holes or apertures 6i) spaced transversely across the partition means and along the rear wall 18. Similarly, the side elements 56 are each pro vided with a series of holes or apertures 62 extending along the side walls. Preferably, the front element 58 of the frame is unbroken. These elements making up the perimeter frame define a central opening 64.

Secured to the rear element 54 and side elements 56 of the perimeter frame 52, and on the underside thereof, are strips 66 of light transmitting material. This material perferably is translucent, as are other elements of the partition means described hereinbelow. These strips are secured in place in any suitable manner, and the material thereof is of sufficient strength to support articles such as glasses 68 and 7G. Preferably, the holes 6G are relatively large for receiving larger glasses 68, which may, for example, be old-fashioned glasses, while the holes 62 may be considerably smaller in dimension for receiving shot glasses indicated at 70. Obviously, these holes may be larger in diameter than the respective glasses to be placed therein since the marginal edges of the holes are not utilized for supporting the glasses, they being supported instead by the strips 66.

Any material having suitable transmitting light characteristics, and strength, may be utilized as the strips 66, and may include glass, plastic, or other materials. l have found that glass may be utilized for this purpose, and when it is so used, it is preferably painted, on at least one surface, to render it translucent and non-trans parent so as to provide a soft and non-glaring light. Alternatively, any of various kinds of polyethylene plastics are suitable for the purpose, many having properties for transmitting a soft and non-glaring light, and of various colors, and having the necessary strength. The light transmitted through the strips impinges on the glasses theeron, rendering them more readily Visible and producing an unusual visual effect.

The top member 44 includes also a panel 72 covering the central opening 64 dened by the elements of the perimeter frame. This panel 72 is in a form of a plate or sheet and also has light transmitting properties, being preferably translucent, and it may be of glass or plastic similar to the material of the strips 66. This panel or plate 72 is retained in place by frame pieces 74 surrounding it and secured to the perimeter frame. These frame pieces are each preferably L-shaped in cross section, having, as best shown in FIGURE 7, a vertical flange 75, and an inwardly extending horizontal lian-ge 78. The vertical flange 76 engages and rests on the perimeter frame while the flange 78 overlies and engages the edge portion of the panel 72. The frame pieces 74 at the rear and sides are secured to the perimeter frame in any suitable manner and may be permanently so secured, as by een gluing, while the frame piece at the front indicated at 74a is detachably secured by suitable means such as screws 80 (FIGS. 7). This frame piece 74a, after rcmoval of the screws 80, may be removed from the perimeter frame 58 and thereafter the panel or plate 72 may be removed from its position by sliding it forwardly out of the remaining frame pieces 74. However, the details of the means for securing the panel 72 in place may be varied from those shown and described.

The central opening 64 and the overlying panel 72 are of substantial area and the panel serves as a means for supporting glasses such as 68 and 70 thereon, as shown in FIGURE l, in an operation of preparing drinks. The light from the light means 50 is transmitted upwardly through the strips 66 and panel 72, and produces an unusual and artistic effect in lighting the glasses supported thereon, as well as providing light to the entire upper service compartment 36.

The bottom member 46 of the novel partition means 40 is preferably in the form of a single sheet, having light transmitting properties and preferably being translucent. The material forming this sheet may be the same as the plastic material referred to above for forming the strips 66, and possesses at least a limited degree of ilexibility. Polyethylene plastic is found particularly suitable for this member, being capable of being heat-treated for forming it into the desired shape, described below. This sheet is shaped to include a rear relatively large portion 82 which is disposed below and generally parallel with the top member 44, and a front portion 84 curved or bent generally upwardly and slightly forwardly from the rear portion, to meet the front edge of the top member 44. The top member 44 is provided with a transverse groove 86 (FIG. 7) in its lower surface adjacent the front, receiving the upper and forward edge of the portion 84 of the sheet 46. The edge of the portion 84 may be snapped into and out of the groove, being normally held in the groove in the absence of unusual external forces, and closing the space 48 in the partition means at the front. As an alternative arrangement, if it should be desired, the portions 82 and 84, of the sheet 46 may be separate and suitably secured in relative positions, and may even be of rigid material, when separate.

The partition means 40 is supported in the chest by suitable means capable of supporting it sturdily and for removal of at least portions of it so as to provide access to the interior thereof, for replacing the light bulb, and for similar purposes. The means for supporting it may be concealed within the partition means, or partially exterior thereto, as in the present illustrated embodiment wherein means such as cleats 88 are mounted on the side walls for supporting the top member 44, and cleats 90 are mounted on the side walls and rear wall for supporting the bottom member 46.

The top and bottom members, forming the partition means, engage the rear and side walls and together with the latter elements define the interior space 48. The partition means 48 may terminate forwardly at any desired point, but preferably it extends to a position in the vertical plane of the front of the chest. The sheet of light transmitting, or translucent, material forming the bottom member 46 is effective for transmitting diffused and nonglaring light entirely throughout the lower storage compartment 38, effectively lighting all of the articles, such as 4Z, stored therein. Moreover, the front portion 84 thereof having a vertical component of extension provides an additional pleasing effect to the observer looking into the chest. The light means 50 may be of any suitable and desired type, Abut is preferably a fluorescent lamp, which provides a relatively non-glaring light and has a high light-heat ratio. The light means 50 is in the form of a tube and may be supported by suitable brackets 92 secured to the perimeter frame 52 and depending therefrom in the central space 48. The rear wall 18 is preferably provided with a series of vent holes 94 for escape of heat from the interior space 48. A transformer for the light means 50 is shown at 96 (FIG. 6) located at a suitable position in the interior space 48. One of the holes 94 may be utilized for extension of the light cord therethrough, for the light means 50.

The chest is further provided with a shelf 98 which is provided with a series of holes or apertures 100 for receiving and supporting articles such as glasses 102. These glasses are represented as being cocktail glasses and are supported directly by the marginal edges of the holes or apertures. The shelf 98 is disposed directly above the rear element 54 and thus directly above the holes 60, and the light transmitted through the strip 66 and through the holes 60 impinges on the glasses 102 and provides an unusual and artistic lighting effect. The shelf 98 is positioned a sufiicient distance above the partition means to enable the user to easily grasp the glasses 68 in the holes 60 and remove them therefrom.

Switch means for automatically controlling the light means 50 is preferably provided for control by the cover 32 and is disposed in a block 104 fitted in a corner of the chest and having an actuating plunger 106 extending upwardly for engagement by the cover. When the cover is open (FIGURES 1 and 6), the switch is released and it closes, closing the circuit to the light means. When the cover is closed down, it engages the plunger and depresses it, opening the switch and opening the circuit to the light means.

When the front doors 24 are closed, the shelves 26 thereon extend into the upper compartment, the shelves being so positioned vertically for that purpose, as stated above. Thus the upper compartment is utilized for storing the glasses in the shelves 26 when the chest is closed, thereby adding to the storage capacity of the chest provided by the lower compartment; the shelves with the glasses thereon are withdrawn from Within the upper compartment when the doors are open, and hence the entire upper compartment is presented for unhindered access by the user for the purpose of preparing drinks.

The light transmitted through the various light transmitting or translucent elements entirely lights the interior of the chest to provide the necessary and desired visibility without objectionable quantities of light escaping to the room where the chest is located. For example, in a room utilized for television reception where it is often intentionally relatively darkened, opening of the chest of the present invention and providing light in the interior thereof, does not affect the desired lighting conditions of the room.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacriiicing all of itsV material advantages, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim:

1. An article of the character disclosed comprising a chest having a rear wall, side Walls, a bottom supporting member, means for closing the top, and door means for closing the front, partition means in the chest dividing the interior thereof into an upper compartment and a 'lower compartment, said partition including a top member and a bottom member defining and completely enclosing, with the back and side Walls, a central space, light means in said central space, said top element being in the form of a rigid panel and including portions of translucent material for transmitting light from said central space to the upper compartment and for supporting articles, means in the chest for removably supporting said top member in the chest, said bottom member being in the form of a sheet of translucent material having at least a limited amount of iiexibility, means removably supporting said bottom member in the chest, the sheet forming the bottom member having a major rear portion spaced downwardly from and disposed generally parallel with the top member and a front portion turned upward-V ly aud having its front edge releasably received in a groove in the top member.

2. A chest of the character disclosed comprising a boxlike enclosure having closure members movable between a closed position in which the interior is completely enclosed and an open position in which the interior is open and exposed for access thereto, horizontal partition means in the enclosure forming upper and lower compartments in the interior of the enclosure, said partition means being entirely confined in the interior of the enclosure by said closure members when the latter are closed, said partition means having an interior space defined by top and bottom members, and light means in said interior space, the bottom member of said partition means being defined substantially entirely by a translucent member for transmission of light from said light means to the lower compartment, the top member of said partition means being defined by a panel including a translucent portion and an opaque portion having holes therein and translucent material secured to the underside thereof, the translucent portion and said translucent material in said top member being etiective for transmission of light from said light means to the upper compartment and also being operative for supporting articles thereon, such as glasses, including glasses in said holes,

the top and bottom members of the partition means to,-l

gether with the respective surrounding portion of the enclosure entirely bounding the said interior space of the partition means whereby to prevent direct rays from being directed into said compartments and to an observer viewing the interior of the enclosure when said closure members are open.

3. The invention set out in claim 2 in which said panel defining the upper part of the partition means includes a perimeter frame which constitutes said opaque portion and forms a central opening of substantial area, and said translucent portion is superimposed over and covers said central opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Y OTHER REFERENCES Popular Science Magazine, page 202, January 1950. 

